BA plays down Australia exit reports

BA plays down Australia exit reports
By admin


British Airways has hinted that it will struggle to continue flying to Australia without its Joint Services Agreement with Qantas, which ends next March.

The British flag carrier told Australia’s competition regulator that in the absence of an alliance it is “increasingly challenging for an international airline to operate services on long haul routes between the UK/Europe and Australia”.

Excess capacity and the “substantial fixed costs” of operating such flights are to blame, it said in a submission on the Qantas-Emirates alliance proposal.

But BA dismissed suggestions it was considering a withdrawal from Australia, a market it has served for 77 years, and insisted it was "committed" to the route.

"We know we have many loyal customers in Australia and they can continue to fly with confidence when they choose Briitish Airways," said Neil Ager, regional commercial manager South West Pacific.

The carrier added that it is "explring options" for when the JSA ends on March 31.

Parts of the BA submission were confidential and removed from the public document, most notably under the heading “impact of proposed venture on BA”.

In a further indication of its possible withdrawal from Australia, BA included a seven-point list of benefits that it has received under the JSA with Qantas.

It described the alliance with Qantas over the past 17 years as “a vital aspect of BA’s ability to offer services and operate in the aviation sector between Australia and the UK/Europe”.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]